HSP3U, Introduction to Anthropology, Psychology and Sociology, Grade 11, University

HSP3U is the Grade 11 University-preparation introduction to the three core social sciences: anthropology (human cultures and evolution), psychology (mind and behaviour), and sociology (groups, institutions, and society). Students learn each discipline’s theories and research methods and apply them to real human questions.

No. HSP3U has no prerequisite — it’s open to any Grade 11 student and is one of the most popular University-level electives in Ontario, especially among students curious about psychology.

HSP3U meets the Ministry of Education’s attendance and participation expectations through activities blended directly into the course. OES requires students to log in at least once per week for attendance, and participation activities appear throughout the course and are reflected in the grade book — preserving self-paced flexibility while satisfying the requirements for online courses.

Yes. HSP3U is the standard first step toward psychology, sociology, and anthropology pathways — it introduces the theories, vocabulary, and research methods first-year courses build on, and it leads to Grade 12 social sciences like HSB4U (Challenge and Change in Society) at OES.

HSP3U covers the foundations of each discipline: anthropology (culture, evolution, ethnography), psychology (theories of behaviour, the brain, development, mental processes), and sociology (socialization, groups, institutions, social change) — plus how social scientists design research ethically.

HSP3U leads naturally into Grade 12 University social sciences at OES, including HSB4U (Challenge and Change in Society), HHS4U (Families in Canada), and HSE4M (Equity and Social Justice) — and it satisfies the ‘U/M social science’ prerequisite many of those courses list.

Yes. Students use HSP3U at OES to lighten a heavy semester, recover a missed credit, or get ahead over a break or the summer. It’s self-paced and open year-round — finish in as little as 4 weeks or spread the work over up to 12 months around your other commitments.

Yes. Ontario students who started Grade 9 in the 2020–21 school year or later must earn at least two online learning credits to graduate, and HSP3U at OES — a Ministry-inspected online school (BSID #667186) — counts toward that requirement. An opt-out process exists through school boards, and specific provisions apply to students affected by the 2021 school closures.

Ontario’s Growing Success policy pre-determines the evaluation structure for every credit. Beginning in the 2026–27 school year, HSP3U is graded on classroom work completed throughout the course (65%) plus a Ministry-mandated final evaluation worth 25% for Grades 11–12, with attendance and participation also reflected in the final grade. A credit is granted at 50% or higher — and as an inspected private school, OES may administer final evaluations online, while school-board online courses generally require in-person exam sittings.